SWEP Rescue
Lucky

"Lucky" because SWEP was present at Hallworthy market when the Trading Standards official decided that this yearling filly should be shot. There can be little doubt that, with the present low market value for moorland ponies, such a blemish would have made it highly unlikely that she would find a buyer, and a grim future lay in prospect for her.

Fortunately, we were able to step in, quite literally, in the nick of time to save her. She had been withdrawn from the auction and we were informed by the Trading Standards Officer that, as the owner did not want her back, arrangements would be made for her to be put down the next morning. He told us that he didn't want us to rescue this mare. Taken aback, we asked why and were told that it would "teach farmers not to send rubbish like her to market."
Time was running short as the market was drawing to a close. A quick check with the DEFRA vet on duty confirmed that she was fit to go 'through the ring' (i.e. be sold at auction). The next step was to find out who the owner was and get permission to take her into our care. Once we had secured the owner's consent we went back to the Trading Standards Officer with the good news. It was then that we found out that he had gone ahead in our absence and arranged to have her shot that afternoon.

By this time we were despairing, needing to fetch our horse box but afraid to leave the market in case she would be destroyed whilst we were gone. A member of the market staff came to our aid, promising to cancel the arrangements with the slaughterer and to look after the mare until we returned.
He was as good as his word and she was safe and sound when we got back. However, the Trading Standards Officer had informed the auctioneer that we planned to remove the mare from the market and both were waiting for us. Once the auctioneer heard that we had the owner's permission, he had to admit that he couldn't prevent us from taking her - and that is just what we did!

Update Autumn 2004
Lucky is pictured above, newly arrived, with Arran helping her to settle in. Once settled, we were able to begin treating the area of proud flesh. Our Vet advised us that her leg would heal better if the old flesh was removed, and so her stay with us was longer than we had expected. Nevertheless, she is now in her loan home at the start of a brand new life!